SOLICITOR Derek Winter has taken up the post of coroner serving the Sunderland area.

He has taken over from Gateshead and South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney, who had also been undertaking the duties in Sunderland since Mr Winter's predecessor, Martin Shaw, stood down earlier this year.

A senior partner in the Sunderland firm of Morton's Solicitors, Mr Winter heads its family department. He is a solicitor advocate and an accredited specialist with The Solicitors' Family Law Association, with particular expertise in the law and practice relating to children and child protection.

He is committed to providing a modern coroner's service.

Mr Winter can be contacted on 0191-514 1001, at 112 High Street, Sunderland, or via the coroner's officer, on 0191-454 7555.